Disposable protective pads

ABSTRACT

Protective barriers for isolating a first object or surface from a second object or surface is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to protective barriers for isolating a valuable article from a less valuable object or surface. The protective barrier may embody a sheet, a multi-layer sheet, or a multi-layer underpad with a non-absorbent or a low-absorbent coating or liner. Preferably, the protective barriers are packaged in a convenient, portable housing for carrying inside a purse, a backpack, or a handbag.

Protective barriers for isolating a first object or surface from a second object or surface is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to protective barriers for isolating a valuable article from a less valuable object or surface.

BACKGROUND

Tarps, mats, covers, and disposable toilet gaskets are similar in that they provide a barrier between a first object and a second object to protect either the first object or the second object from the adjacent object. By protecting, either the first object or the second object is shielded from dirt, abrasion, stain, wear and tear, dust, the environment, germs, bacteria, etc.

Protective barriers come in different shapes and sizes and material make-up. For example, they can include thermoplastic, plastic coated or lined paper, plastic coated or lined cotton, waxed paper, cotton-blend, paper-blend, and a number of shapes and sizes ranging from large to small and with various curves and cut-outs.

While the market place have a number of available protective barriers, there remains a need for alternative barriers.

SUMMARY

The present invention may be implemented by providing a combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads housed within a dispenser housing; the protective pads each comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity.

The present invention may also be practiced using a method for isolating an article from a surface comprising the steps taking a protective pad from a dispenser housing comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads, each protective pad comprising a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity; placing the protective pad on the surface; and placing the article on the protective pad.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of individual protective pads separated from one another by a tear line; each individual pad comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity, and wherein the dispenser comprises an access opening for retrieving the individual protective pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims and appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a plurality of protective pads housed in a housing;

FIG. 2 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a single pad removed from the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a semi-schematic partial cross-sectional partial perspective view of an exemplary bundle of protective pads in an intertwined configuration;

FIG. 4 is a semi-schematic perspective view of an alternative pad package for packaging a plurality of protective pads;

FIG. 5 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a roll of protective pads separated from one another by perforations; and

FIG. 6 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a pursed placed over a protective pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of disposable protective pads provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the disposable protective pads of the present invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, as denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pad package 10 of disposable protective pads 12 is shown provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, the package 10 comprises a housing 14 comprising an opening 16 for dispensing the pads 12. The housing 10 may be made from heavy weight paper, corrugated paper, thermoplastic, and plastic blend, with thermoplastic or plastic blend being more preferred. A similar thermoplastic housing is the housing for the Kleenex Pocket Pack™ tissues, which the present housing 14 may be constructed to resemble. In one exemplary embodiment, the opening 16 may be formed by providing a perforated cut-out on the housing to be opened by a user. The perforated cut-out can embody a straight perforated slit or take on a shape, such as an oval shape or a rectangular shape, as examples.

The disposable pads 12, shown with one pad extending out of the opening 16, preferably comprise a bundle or a roll of individual pads 12. Each pad 12 may be folded and placed next to or on top of an adjacent pad, be folded in an intertwined fashion with an adjacent pad, as further discussed below, or be folded in an end-to-end rolled configuration with an adjacent pad, also as further discussed below.

In one embodiment, the individual pads 12 are folded so as to be packaged in a compact housing 12 with an overall size in the order of a Kleenex Pocket Pack™. However, the overall housing size can vary from the size of the Pocket Pack™ provided it is sufficiently small to fit into a purse, a backpack, or the like. As shown, the protruding pad 12 comprises a first end edge 18, a first side edge 20, and a second side edge 22, shown in dashed lines. In the embodiment shown, the pad 12 is folded in thirds with the first side edge 20 and the second side edge 22 folded over the central portion 24 of the pad to create two creases 26. However, as is readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the pad 12 may be folded in half, in fourths, and so-forth to produce a desirable final size and configuration.

When removed from the housing 14 and un-folded, the individual pad 12 may have an overall size of about 6 inches to about 25 inches by about 6 inches to about 25 inches with about a 12 inch by 12 inch being more preferred. However, other size range may be incorporated without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Due to the un-folded size of the pad 12 compared to the folded size of the pad 12, the pad may also have one or more lateral folds or creases 28 (FIG. 2) to decrease the size of the pad 12 when folded for packaging the pad into the housing 14. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the second end edge 32.

In one exemplary embodiment, the pad 12 maybe made from a non-absorbent material, a low-absorbent material, or from an absorbent material with a non-absorbent, or low-absorbent, liner or backing. By low-absorbent, a minimal absorption of moisture into the pad may be possible without completely soaking the pad. Low-absorbent material should be more impervious to moisture than a paper towel, a cotton towel, or a paper tissue. Exemplary materials usable in making the disposable protective pad 12 include, without limitation, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), cast polypropylene (CPP) film, foamed oriented polypropylene film (FOPP), coextruded, multi-layer films, polyethylene cloth or film, oriented polyester film, spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven films, blended LLDPE film, acetate films, mylar polyester film, flexible PVC film, metalized plastic (e.g., vinyl) film, films with PVDC or acrylic coatings, multi-layer coated underpads (e.g., Kendall Tendersorb Underpads™), lens tissue (e.g., toilet seat cover paper), wax paper, and plastic-lined cotton (e.g., diapers). Other thermoplastic and plastic blends may be used provided they are either non-absorbent or low-absorbent. In one exemplary embodiment, the pad 12 may also include pressure sensitive adhesive for allowing the pad to be temporarily bonded to a surface or an object. In a preferred embodiment, the pad 12 is made from a multi-layer coated underpad with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Exemplary pressure sensitive adhesives include those made by 3M and Avery Dennison. In another exemplary embodiment, decorative designs or decorative printings, such as flowers, animals, caricatures, etc., are incorporated on a first and/or a second surface of each pad.

FIG. 3 shows a bundle 30 of disposable protective pads 12 folded in a lapped, superjacent fold format. The pads 12 are so folded so that when the bundle of pads 30 are packaged inside the housing 14, removal of one pad 12 will cause the first end edge 18 of the adjacent pad 12 to pop out of the opening 16 of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the pad 12 is simply stacked on top of one-another, i.e., not intertwined, such that when the bundle of pad 30 is packaged inside the housing, pulling on the first pad 12 will not cause the adjacent pad 12 to pop out of the opening 16.

In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of pads 12 are intertwined by placing a portion of one pad in between a folded adjacent pad. The folded adjacent pad is then placed in between another folded adjacent pad and so forth to produce a stack of pads of desired number or of appropriate or desired height. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, each pad 12 is individually packaged in a thermoplastic over wrap or in a sealed waxed or lined paper. The over wrap can be a sleeve with heat sealed or glued ends.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative package 34 of disposable protective pads 12 provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the package 34 includes a housing 36 comprising two ends 38, 40, a central section 42, and an opening 44. The housing 36 may be made from heavy weight paper, hard plastic, soft plastic, or leather. If made from soft plastic, the opening 44 may be eliminated, one end 40 of the bag heat sealed, and the other end 38 wired or tied shut but capable of being untied to access the inside of the housing. If made from hard plastic, the housing 36 may be reusable by incorporating an end 38 comprising a closeable opening, or by incorporating two ends 38, 40 with two closeable openings. When the pads 12 are completely used up, a new bundle or roll of pads may be inserted or replenished using the closeable opening(s). The same would be true if the housing 36 was made from leather or other reusable material. Snap-buttons or Velcro may be used to close the end 38 with the accessible opening.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a roll 46 of disposable protective pads 12 is shown. The roll 46 of pads 12 may be made by folding the pads lengthwise and crosswise, providing perforation 48 between the pads 12, and rolling the pads into a roll. The roll 46 of pads may then be housed or stored inside the housing 36 (FIG. 4). Alternatively, the rolled pads may be packaged inside a paper or a plastic bag.

FIG. 6 shows the protective pad 12 in an un-folded configuration on a surface 50 with a purse 52 placed thereon. In one exemplary embodiment, the pad 12 is made from a multi-layer coated underpad with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Preferably, the non-absorbent or low-absorbent coating would face or contact the surface 50 with the pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the surface. In an alternative embodiment, a single layer or a multi-layer thermoplastic sheet is used to make the pad 12, which then allows the pad to be placed on the surface 50 either by the first pad surface 54 or the second pad surface 56 facing the surface 50. In the alternative embodiment, the single layer or multi-layer thermoplastic sheet may include pressure sensitive adhesive backing on either the first pad surface 54 or the second pad surface 56, which would be the surface facing the surface 50.

As is readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the protective pad 12 provides a protective barrier for the purse 52 to prevent direct contact between the surface and the purse. The protective barrier would be desirable especially where the surface 50 is dirty, contaminated, wet, etc. For example, in a stall of a dirty public restroom, the use of the protective pad 12 would provide a dry, dirty-free surface to temporarily place the purse while freeing the user's hands for other matters. The pads 12 may also be used on other surfaces, such as on grass (e.g., a park), sand (e.g., the beach), a dirty counter top, or a table top, just to name a few.

In one exemplary embodiment, the pad package 10 or 34 is provided as an accessory for a purse. In other words, the pad package 10 or 34 may be sold near or in the same area as purses for use as protective barriers for purses. In an alternative embodiment, the pad package 10 or 34 is sold with the purse, i.e., contained with the purse and sold as a combination.

In another alternative embodiment, the protective pads 12 may be used as a protective barrier for a child (i.e., for use with a changing table) when changing the child's diaper, for use as a protective area for food or for placement of food thereon, and for placement of clothing when changing clothes. Other usages for isolating or protecting a first surface from a second surface using the disposable protective pads provided in accordance with practice of the present are contemplated and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of other usages include: use in restaurants, public restrooms, movie theaters, on airplanes, at sporting events, with shopping carts, in storage lockers, at hair/nail salons, at the beach, in the classrooms, at the doctor's offices, at parties, with rental cars, at the parks, at concerts, at the Opera/Orchestra houses/theaters, or at the plays, etc.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with some specificity, the description and drawings set forth herein are not intended to be delimiting, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims. Various changes to the protective pads described elsewhere herein including changes to the texture, the appearance, the shape, the size, and outer housing or packaging may be made. Accordingly, many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads housed within a dispenser housing; the protective pads each comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity.
 2. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein the dispenser housing comprises a transparent thermoplastic sheet.
 3. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein each protective pad comprises at least 36 inches in surface area.
 4. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein each protective pad comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein pressure sensitive adhesive is bonded to the first surface.
 5. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein each protective pad comprises an absorbent layer.
 6. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein the dispenser housing is made from a leather material.
 7. The combination dispenser and protective barriers of claim 1, wherein each protective pad comprises decorative designs.
 8. A method for isolating an article from a surface comprising the steps: taking a protective pad from a dispenser housing comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads, each protective pad comprising a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity; placing the protective pad on the surface; and placing the article on the protective pad.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of taking the protective pad from a handbag.
 10. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of taking the protective pad from a purse.
 11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the dispenser housing comprises a transparent thermoplastic sheet.
 13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein each protective pad comprises at least 36 inches in surface area.
 14. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein each protective pad comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein pressure sensitive adhesive is bonded to the first surface.
 15. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein each protective pad comprises an absorbent layer.
 16. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the dispenser housing is made from a leather material.
 17. A combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of individual protective pads separated from one another by a tear line; each individual pad comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity, and wherein the dispenser comprises an access opening for retrieving the individual protective pads. 